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Bismuth-based (2122) single grains containing a large number of normal particles were synthesized and evaluated for temperature and magnetic field dependence of flux creep rate and pinning potential (Uo) from the magnetization. Results show an abrupt decrease of Uo below 30 kelvin accompanying the decrease in temperature. This magnetic field dependence of thepinning potential is not represented in Y1Ba2Cu3O7 superconductors.

We present the thermal characteristics of a superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB) system that is designed for a polarization modulator of a cosmic microwave background polarization experiment. The SMB system consists of a ring-shaped magnet and an array of YBCO tiles. Both have an opening diameter of about 400 mm. The ring-shaped magnet is formed by an array of segmented magnets. The magnetic field inhomogeneity of this rotor magnet is originated from the magnetic field inhomogeneity of each magnet and the spatial gap between the segments. This inhomogeneity can contribute as a source of friction, and thus a source of heat in an operation at below 10 K. We estimate the heat dissipation from friction of the SMB by conducting the spin-down measurements, and we projected the heat dissipation of 2–20 mW from the hysteresis contribution depending on the levitation height. We discuss the consistency of the spin-down measurements to Bean's model between the magnetic field inhomogeneity and the hysteresis loss. We also discuss the potential temperature rise of the rotor magnet when it is levitating at the temperature at around 10 K. Thus, we address the means to estimate the rotor temperature by the physical contact to the rotor. The extrapolated temperature recovers the rotor temperature with the difference of less than 2 K without any correction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study, we experimentally and analytically investigated time-dependent deformation of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic sandwich panels with three kinds of polymer foam-core ROHACELL, with the deformation caused by moisture absorption. Tensile tests for the ROHACELLs before and after moisture absorption were performed using the digital image correlation method, and we obtained a stress–strain relationship for each condition. Surface deformations of sandwich panels were calculated using finite element analyses to examine the elasto-plastic deformation of the ROHACELLs based on the tensile test results. Experimentally measured deformation in the sandwich panels varied depending on the cell size of cores, and the largest measured deformation after the moisture absorption was approximately 100 μm. This was much larger than the analytical result. On the basis of this study, we suggest that the main reason for the deformation may be an irreversible shrinkage of the ROHACELLs caused the absorption of moisture during exposure to high-temperature and high-humidity environments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Label-free quantitation of mass spectrometric data is one of the simplest and least expensive methods for differential expression profiling of proteins and metabolites. The need for high accuracy and performance computational label-free quantitation methods is still high in the biomarker and drug discovery research field. However, recent most advanced types of LC-MS generate huge amounts of analytical data with high scan speed, high accuracy and resolution, which is often impossible to interpret manually. Moreover, there are still issues to be improved for recent label-free methods, such as how to reduce false positive/negatives of the candidate peaks, how to expand scalability and how to enhance and automate data processing. AB3D (A simple label-free quantitation algorithm for Biomarker Discovery in Diagnostics and Drug discovery using LC-MS) has addressed these issues and has the capability to perform label-free quantitation using MS1 for proteomics study. Results: We developed an algorithm called AB3D, a label free peak detection and quantitative algorithm using MS1 spectral data. To test our algorithm, practical applications of AB3D for LC-MS data sets were evaluated using 3 datasets. Comparisons were then carried out between widely used software tools such as MZmine 2, MSight, SuperHirn, OpenMS and our algorithm AB3D, using the same LC-MS datasets. All quantitative results were confirmed manually, and we found that AB3D could properly identify and quantify known peptides with fewer false positives and false negatives compared to four other existing software tools using either the standard peptide mixture or the real complex biological samples of Bartonella quintana (strain JK31). Moreover, AB3D showed the best reliability by comparing the variability between two technical replicates using a complex peptide mixture of HeLa and BSA samples. For performance, the AB3D algorithm is about 1.2 - 15 times faster than the four other existing software tools. Conclusions: AB3D is a simple and fast algorithm for label-free quantitation using MS1 mass spectrometry data for large scale LC-MS data analysis with higher true positive and reasonable false positive rates. Furthermore, AB3D demonstrated the best reproducibility and is about 1.2- 15 times faster than those of existing 4 software tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of anisotropic thermal diffusivities on non-destructive testing of CFRP laminates using pulse phase thermography (PPT) was studied analytically. The results show that the optimum frequency for maximizing detectable depths of defects increases concomitantly with the increase in the ratio of the thermal diffusivities in the through-thickness direction to that in the in-plane direction. Furthermore, the phase difference between sound and defective areas decreases significantly with decreased. These predicted tendencies were verified through experiments. Experimental results also demonstrated that defects of 10 mm in diameter can be detected up to around 5 mm depth in CFRP with lowerbut only to around 1 mm in CFRP with higher [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thermal deformation analysis was performed on a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) mirror with sandwich structure. To obtain unexpected asymmetry of the surface sheet, we investigated the deformation of a quasi-isotropic laminate under hot and humid conditions. Despite the symmetric lay-up, quasi-isotropic laminate deforms into twisted saddle shape with time, and this deformation could be simulated by assuming ply angle misalignment. Then, the elastic moduli of honeycomb cores were calculated theoretically. A honeycomb sandwich mirror model was constructed by adopting a sheet model and using honeycomb elements. The thermal deformation analysis was performed considering the ply angle misalignment. The test results clarified that the deformation of the surface sheet was a critical factor in the dimensional stability of the CFRP mirror. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed Mass++, a plug-in style visualization and analysis tool for mass spectrometry. Its plug-in style enables users to customize it and to develop original functions. Mass++ has several kinds of plug-ins, including rich viewers and analysis methods for proteomics and metabolomics. Plug-ins for supporting vendors' raw data are currently available; hence, Mass++ can read several data formats. Mass++ is both a desktop tool and a software development platform. Original functions can be developed without editing the Mass++ source code. Here, we present this tool's capability to rapidly analyze MS data and develop functions by providing examples of label-free quantitation and implementing plug-ins or scripts. Mass++ is freely available at http://www.first-ms3d.jp/english/ .

A new peak detection method has been developed for rapid selection of peptide and its fragment ion peaks for protein identification using tandem mass spectrometry. The algorithm applies classification of peak intensities present in the defined mass range to determine the noise level. A threshold is then given to select ion peaks according to the determined noise level in each mass range. This algorithm was initially designed for the peak detection of low resolution peptide mass spectra, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra. But it can also be applied to other type of mass spectra. This method has demonstrated obtaining a good rate of number of real ions to noises for even poorly fragmented peptide spectra. The effect of using peak lists generated from this method produces improved protein scores in database search results. The reliability of the protein identifications is increased by finding more peptide identifications. This software tool is freely available at the Mass++ home page (http://www.first-ms3d.jp/english/achievement/software/).